Sponsored Research Administrator

NC State University; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 65,000 - 73,525; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage

Flexible Spending Account

Tuition and Academic Assistance

Wellness Programs

Job summary

NC State University in Raleigh is seeking a Sponsored Research Administrator to oversee the management of research proposals and financial compliance. The ideal candidate will facilitate budgeting processes and ensure adherence to regulations, particularly in a university setting.

This role is essential for supporting faculty and enhancing the university's research activities. Candidates should have a strong background in research administration and be proficient in Microsoft Excel.

Benefits include medical coverage, retirement programs, and paid time off.

Qualifications

• Experience in pre-award proposal development and post-award financial management.
• Ability to work in a matrixed, shared-services environment.
• Experience in building financial spreadsheets and data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Management of proposal budgets from concept to submission.
• Monitoring expenditures for compliance with regulations.
• Collaboration with faculty for project budgeting and compliance.

Skills

University research administration experience

Microsoft Excel proficiency

Written and verbal communication skills

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Tools

NC State systems (RED PT, PD, PAM)

PeopleSoft Financials

Job description

Job Overview

Posting Number: PG194732EP

Working Title: Sponsored Research Administrator

Internal Recruitment: Yes

Anticipated Hiring Range: $65,000 - $73,525 (Commensurate with education and experience)

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm; position may be eligible for a flexible work schedule. Adjustments to the schedule are occasionally required to accommodate rigid sponsor proposal deadlines.

Job Location: Raleigh, NC

Department: Engineering Research Administration

Department Overview

The College of Engineering (COE) Office of Research Administration (ORA) operates under a college-managed, departmentally embedded operating model designed to deliver standardized, high-quality administrative infrastructure and regulatory safeguarding for the College’s extensive, multi-million dollar sponsored research portfolio. The ORA model merges centralized oversight with agile local integration, serving as strategic partners to principal investigators, faculty, and departmental leadership with cradle-to-grave support tailored to each unit. The network manages over 1,100 research proposals and administers more than 800 new awards, continuations, and supplements annually. Operating as a high-volume, deadline-driven organization, the unit mitigates financial, legal, and reputational risks while optimizing NC State’s competitive edge in securing external funding.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage
• Flexible Spending Account
• Retirement Programs
• Disability Plans
• Life Insurance
• Accident Plan
• Paid Time Off and Other Leave Programs
• 12 Holidays Each Year
• Tuition and Academic Assistance
• Childcare benefits
• Wellness & Recreation Membership
• Wellness Programs
• And so much more!

Essential Job Duties

Pre-Award Portfolio Management & Proposal Development

• Localized Faculty Consultation: Partner directly with PIs to develop accurate, compliant proposal budgets and detailed justifications from initial concept through final submission.
• Standardized Regulatory Screening: Analyze complex agency Requests for Proposals and Funding Opportunity Announcements to ensure alignment with F&A rules, cost‑sharing restrictions, budget caps, and direct cost allowability.
• Institutional System Management: Fully execute and route records within institutional software suites, including RED Proposal Development, ensuring data integrity before final central routing.
• Electronic Research Administration: Build, format, and package proposal submissions within sponsor portals such as Research.gov, GRANTS.gov, eRA Commons, and ASSIST.

Post‑Award Financial Management, Forecasting & Closeout

• Award Onboarding & Budget Translation: Review incoming award notices with the PI to establish accurate internal ledger setups.
• Compliance Monitoring & Risk Mitigation: Perform continuous financial analysis of active grant ledgers, monitoring expenditures for accuracy, allowability, and compliance with CAS, Uniform Guidance, state rules, and university policies.
• Projections & Planning Models: Build multi‑year spending projections and variance analysis models for faculty to optimize fund utilization.
• Reconciliations & Cost‑Share Tracking: Audit human resource expenditures, travel vouchers, and procurement charges against grant terms, tracking committed cost‑sharing obligations.
• Lifecycle Closeouts: Execute comprehensive closeouts for expiring grant segments, prepare and process Project Modification Requests, no‑cost extensions, or residual balance distributions, ensuring audit‑ready documentation is archived.

Model Alignment, Cross‑Coverage & Leadership

• Matrixed Team Collaboration: Participate in the College ORA network to align with university‑wide research administration standards while balancing central policy and local workflow.
• Cross‑College Workload Balancing: Provide temporary pre‑ or post‑award coverage for other COE departments during peak submission cycles or staff absences.
• Faculty Onboarding & Training: Develop and deliver resources, onboarding guides, or info‑sessions for new faculty and departmental business officers regarding ORA standard operating procedures and financial management tools.

This position is open for current NC State Employees only, permanent or temporary.

Other Responsibilities

• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in university research administration encompassing both pre‑award proposal development and post‑award financial management.
• Proven ability to work successfully and adapt within a matrixed, shared‑services, or centrally managed/departmentally embedded operational model.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including experience building financial spreadsheets, tracking formulas, and data analysis.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to navigate stakeholder relationships with consultative diplomacy.
• Strong organizational skills and the capacity to balance localized faculty needs with central compliance frameworks under rigid deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in university research administration within an R1 research institution.
• Deep working knowledge of Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), Cost Accounting Standards, and rules governing major federal sponsors (NSF, NIH, DOD, NASA, DOE).
• Direct experience utilizing NC State systems such as RED PT, PD and PAM, PeopleSoft Financials, and Wolf Reports.
• Certified Research Administrator (CRA) or Certified Professional Pre‑Award/Post‑Award Research Administrator (CPRA/CFRA) credential.

Legal & EEO Notice

NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability‑related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919‑513‑0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity.

Final candidates are subject to criminal and sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit. NC State University participates in E‑Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.